NFL Combine 2012: 4 QBs Who Must Have Strong Showings

While most eyes will be on Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck, the likely replacement for Peyton Manning, they won’t be the only plot-lines in Indy. Quarterback is still the story here.

We know Griffin and Luck are NFL-ready, but are these four college stars also NFL material?  Their performances at the combine will help us find out.

Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State: Weeden had a monster senior year for the Cowboys, putting up career highs in every major category (TD passes, completion percentage, passing yards). But were his huge stats solely a product of having superstar wide-out Justin Blackmon as a target? His performance at the combine might hold the answer.

Kirk Cousins, Michigan State: Cousins is best known for his sweet Hail Mary toss in an upset win against Wisconsin midway through the 2011 season. He was clutch again at the end of MSU’s thrilling Outback Bowl win over Georgia. But questions remain about his mobility and athleticism.

Jordan Jefferson, LSU: Jefferson has great size and mobility. And if playing against brutal SEC defenses for four years doesn’t make you NFL-ready, I don’t know what does. Still, Jefferson looked awful in the national championship game, throwing for only 53 yards. And he has plenty of character issues. He served a four-game suspension for his involvement in an off-campus fight and called out his coaching staff after losing the title game.

Brock Oswelier, Arizona State: Osweiler is definitely going to intrigue some teams because of his size (6’8”, 240 pounds) and arm strength (think Ryan Mallet, a third-rounder out of Arkansas in 2011).  But is he a one-hit wonder? Next week will give teams a better read on the real Osweiler.